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If you come across a stray animal, it’s important to report it to ensure its safety and to prevent potential harm to the local wildlife. It is against the law to keep a found animal. Cats and dogs must be contained before we can collect them.
Nuisance cats
We encourage owners to keep their cats on their property, particularly between dusk and dawn. About 80% of accidents involving cats occur at night. This is also when they are most likely to hunt native wildlife.
If a neighbourhood cat is frequently entering your property and causing issues:
- Speak to the owner if you know who they are.
- If you are uncomfortable approaching them directly, use our sample note to contact them.
- If unresolved, request a cat trap by contacting us: Call (03) 9278 4444 or email [email protected].
- If the problem persists, you can provide your address for us to issue the owner with a Notice of Objection. Repeat issues may result in an infringement notice to the owner.
Stray and semi-owned cats
Stray and semi-owned cats can have serious impacts on local wildlife, including contributing to the extinction of native birds and mammals. Feeding stray cats without taking responsibility for desexing them increases the problem.
You can help by:
- Taking ownership of stray cats and arranging for them to be desexed.
- Contacting us to have the cat taken to the RSPCA.
Cat trap information
We can deliver cat traps from our Camberwell offices for up to 2 weeks of use at no cost.
- Traps work by attracting cats with food. Once the cat enters, the trap closes automatically.
- Set traps overnight (Sunday to Thursday) and check them each morning. Close traps during the day.
If a cat is caught:
- Ensure the trap is shaded in summer or sheltered in winter. Provide fresh water if needed.
- Call us on (03) 9278 4444 to arrange collection by an Animal Management Officer during business hours.
Collected cats will be taken to the RSPCA. We are unable to collect cats after hours, on weekends, or public holidays.
Stray dogs
To report a stray dog:
- Call us immediately on (03) 9278 4444.
- Provide details, including the dog’s location and whether it is contained.
If the dog has a registration tag:
- Provide the tag number, and we’ll contact the owner.
- We cannot share owner or caller details due to privacy laws.
If the dog does not have identification:
- An Animal Management Officer will collect the dog if it is contained.
- Alternatively, you can take the dog to the RSPCA at 3 Burwood Highway, Burwood East.
Barking dogs
Nuisance barking is defined as persistent barking that unreasonably interferes with the peace and comfort of others. Before contacting us, we encourage you to speak to the dog owner first. Many owners may not be aware that their dog’s barking is affecting others.
Talk to the dog owner first
It's possible that the dog is only barking when the owner is not at home. In most cases, approaching the dog owner in a friendly way and sharing your concerns with them can fix the issue.
If you aren’t able to speak to the dog owner or don’t feel comfortable approaching them directly, you can write to them.
Use our Sample note for contacting a dog owner or write your own letter with details about the days and times of the barking. Remember that it may take some time for the owner to correct the dog’s barking. They may be trying to re-train their dog to help the issue. It’s important to keep an open conversation with your neighbour about their progress.
When to try mediation
If you haven’t been able to fix the problem by talking to the dog owner, you can try mediation.
You can find out about a free and confidential mediation service for people to deal with disputes or conflict on the Dispute Settlement of Victoria website.
When to report the barking to us
If the barking continues, you can contact us after recording 7 days of the dog’s behaviour in the provided barking dog diary.
- Record 7 days of barking using the 7-day barking dog diary.
- Complete the Report a barking dog form online and attach your diary.
Additional reports can be emailed to us at [email protected]u or by calling (03) 9278 4444.
Download the 7-day barking dog diary template
How we will investigate your report
One of our Animal Management Officers will contact you, verify the information, and may provide a more detailed 14-day barking dog diary if needed. We will inform the dog’s owner and give them 21 days to address the issue.
When to take legal action
If the issue persists, we may need to take legal action under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, which could result in fines, good behaviour bonds, training requirements, or, in serious cases, removal of the dog.
More information:
For further assistance, call us on (03) 9278 4444 or email [email protected].